The NaNo kick-off party season is almost upon us; check your Regional Lounge on the Forums to see when and where the get-together for your area will be taking place. And go! I know the idea of hanging out with a bunch of strangers is a little terrifying. But trust me: you'll be glad you went. Nothing helps steady the noveling nerves like meeting your fellow writers and realizing they're as unprepared and anxious as you are. And beer. That helps too.

Also, I wanted to send a shout-out to everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area. We'll be having our Bay Area kick-off party on Sunday the 26th, but before then, on Wednesday the 22nd, longtime NaNo supporter Wendy Smith has organized a Rock and Roll Spelling Bee to benefit NaNoWriMo. It will be held in San Francisco at El Rio, and there will be bands and spelling and other forms of nerdy debauchery. If you live in the area, please come on out to the Bee and say hi!